FAQ

SFC is located in Fujisawa City, which is in the southern region of Kanagawa Prefecture called Shonan. Situated along the coast of Sagami Bay, the Shonan area is well known for its relaxing, free-spirited culture. Fujisawa is the economic center of Shonan and has a population of about 420,000 people.  

There are nearly 300 students from about 40 different countries and regions studying at SFC.  

Keio University Shonan Fujisawa Campus uses a semester system. The spring semester runs from April 1st to September 21st, and the fall semester runs from September 22nd to March 31st. Please refer to the academic calendar for more information.  

Yes, SFC holds open days event called "Visit and Engage with GIGA" during summer. Please see details from here Also, SFC holds open campus events that all prospective students are welcome to attend. These events give visitors the chance to see and experience the university's academic and campus life firsthand.  

GIGA (Global Information and Governance Academic) program is a 4-year undergraduate degree program taught entirely in English.The GIGA Program aims to develop students into leaders who are able to identify and find solutions to intricate, wide-ranging problems in society. Using an integrated, multidisciplinary approach, SFC faculty will teach a combination of rigorous courses in technology, engineering, mathematics and sciences and strong foundational courses in international relations, development, political science and language.  

The curriculum is structured around the Research Seminar and the Graduation Project, while different categories of courses focus on giving students the skills and knowledge necessary to participate in these two pillars of SFC learning. Details can be found on the curriculum page.  

The degree offered by the Faculty of Policy Management under this program is Bachelor of Arts in Policy Management. The degree offered by the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies under this program is Bachelor of Arts in Environment and Information Studies.  

The program will require at least 124 credits (the equivalent of 62 semester-length courses), which normally take four years to complete. However exceptional students may finish in three-and-a-half years.  

Yes, international students who wish to enroll in September through the GIGA Program admissions may apply for the scholarships listed below at the same time they apply for the GIGA Program.  

No, there is no need to travel to Japan for applying or for the screening process. Applications to the Winter AO 2023(Global) are submitted in English, and screening is based solely on evaluation of submitted documents and materials.  

Please check "Eligibiity at a Glance" chart which can be found on the application guidebook  

Approx. 50 students will be accepted into the GIGA Program each year.  

There are no Japanese language requirements entering the University or applying for the GIGA Course.  

There is no minimum required band score and the average score of successful applicants is not made public.  

There are no subject or subject level requirements specified regarding IB grades.  

The GIGA program does not require the completion of any specific secondary school courses in order to be considered for admission.  

Keio University does not accept transfer students from other universities.  

No. the GIGA program does not accept credits from another institution.  

The GIGA Certificate will be awarded to students who applied for the GIGA Course and completed all the requirements for the certificate. As long as all the requirements have been fulfilled, the certificate may be issued while still enrolled at the University.  

Monthly GIGA welcome E-Newsletter is sent to our successful applicants fromy March to September prior to their entrance to Keio University, SFC.  

Yes, the H Village is the newest on-campus dormitory housing around 300 students. Five students will live together in one unit, allowing them to experience a "learn while you live, and live while you learn" lifestyle. Also, there are many apartments and privately owned dormitories located near Keio University SFC.  

Please refer to the Housing page for information about accommodation.  

There are four dining areas on campus. Please refer to the Cafeteria and Co-op page for more details.  

Yes, SFC International student handbooks in English is available for download from the links below.  

Students may go to the Health Center on campus with illnesses and injuries that occur while on school grounds. Please refer to the center's homepage for more information. For illnesses or injuries that occur off-campus, students are advised to go to the nearest hospital. A list of hospitals near SFC is included in the living guide produced by Fujisawa City. The guide is available for download from the city's website.  

Students who study in Japan for a full academic year or longer are required to enroll in Japan's National Health Insurance system, or present evidence of equivalent coverage. Students can register into the system at the National Health Insurance section of the municipal office that presides over their region of residence in Japan.  

The Keio Student Health Care Mutual Aid Association (hereafter "Gakuseikenpo") is a mutual aid organization established with the aim of supporting student life from a health perspective. The Gakuseikenpo will reimburse a portion of the co-payment of a member's medical expenses when they receive treatment at a medical institution upon presenting a health insurance card.  

Please refer to the Student Counseling page on the main SFC site for more information regarding counseling services.  

A wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, cultural, volunteer-related, etc., is available, and most students find a student organization or club they can wholeheartedly participate in.  

Visa requirements may differ depending on the conditions of individual applicants. Please refer to the following websites for further information:  

Yes. They can take courses offered in both English and Japanese.  

All levels of Japanese language classes are offered, from beginner to advanced, to meet the individual needs of international students. Outside of classes, free study support services are offered. The curriculum is designed so that even students who have no prior Japanese language skills can achieve N2-level Japanese language skills if they take Japanese language courses for four years.  

Please refer to the Academic Fees page for information regarding these costs.  

Students must purchase textbooks and other educational materials for classes.  

There is no deposit requirement.  

Tuition fees and other fees can be paid in two installments - one in spring and one in fall - by wiring the appropriate funds to SFC's designated bank account.  

Please refer to the Financial Aid page for more information regarding this.  

International Students must first apply through the university for permission to engage in part-time work. Once their application has been approved, international students may work for no more than 28 hours per week. In general, the types of jobs open to international students are dependent on their Japanese-language ability. Students are not permitted to work at bars, night clubs, pachinko and mahjong parlors, adult entertainment shops and other similar venues.  

Please refer to the Housing and Living Costs page for information regarding this.